Drawing device

ABSTRACT

A device for dividing a planar surface into a plurality of equal sections. A first embodiment includes a member having a plurality of regularly spaced apertures in linear relation to each other that are connected to a second member that may fit over the blade of a T-square. A second embodiment comprises a disclike indexing member with a plurality of sets of regularly spaced linearly disposed apertures.

United States Patent [7 21 Inventor Steve Turk 7110 Seaford Road, Upper Darby, Pa. 19082 [211 App]. No. 9,808 [22] Filed Feb. 9, 1970 [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 [54] DRAWING DEVICE 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 33/42 [51] Int. Cl B431 13/02 [50] Field of Search 33/26, 41, 42,43,44,189,191,32,1O8

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 668,957 2/1901 Fletcher 33/41 D 1/1965 Andaloro 33/41 D 190,934 5/1877 Vaughan 33/43 2,560,736 7/1951 Olson 33/41 B 2,622,560 12/1952 Menaker 33/41 D FOREIGN PATENTS 774,963 10/1934 France 33/101 297,782 3/1931 Italy 33/108 Primary Examiner-Harry N. Haroian Attorney-Seidel, Gonda & Goldhammer ABSTRACT: A device for dividing a planar surface into a plurality of equal sections. A first embodiment includes a member having a plurality of regularly spaced apertures in linear relation to each other that are connected to a second member that may fit over the blade of a T-square. A second embodiment comprises a disclike indexing member with a plurality of sets of regularly spaced linearly disposed apertures.

PATENTEDJAN 4:972 I 3.631.600

urn 70A. 5 T EVE TUR K g'la w mw DRAWING DEVICE This invention relates to a drawing device and more particularly to a device for dividing a planar surface into a plurality of equal segments.

Draftsmen, carpenters, sheet metal workers and other individuals who do layout work or drafting must often, for drafting or prior to fabrication, divide surfaces into a plurality of equal segments.

This is usually done by trial-and-error wherein a series of increments is stepped off across a line that is transverse to the surface being divided until an equal number of segments in the desired amount is obtained. In addition, another way of achieving this is to take an instrument, such as a ruler, which has a plurality of equally spaced marks thereon and arrange it with one mark along each edge of the surface to be divided with the desired number of marks between the edges, then the surface can be divided into equal segments at each of the marks.

The trial-and-error method is not desirable since it requires a great deal of time. The amount of time required by this method increases as the number of segments into which the surface is to be divided increases. Additionally, fragile surfaces, such as paper, cloth or specially coated surfaces may be damaged to the extent that they would be unusable after repeated scratchings by a divider.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a device for dividing a surface into a plurality of equal segments.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device that may cooperate with a T-square blade for dividing a surface into a plurality of equal segments.-

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device for dividing a surface into a plurality of segments that can be contained in a circular housing.

Generally, the invention relates to a device for locating a plurality of equal segments on a planar surface having a plurality of sides defining a perimeter comprising a first member having means for permitting said planar surface to be marked at a plurality of linearly disposed and regularly spaced intervals, a second member supporting said first member for relative pivotal movement therebetween and guide means for engagement with a portion of said perimeter when said first member is positioned to permit said planar surface to be marked, said guide means being coupled to said second member for relative movement therebetween.

Other objects and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent from a detailed description thereof which follows wherein:

FIG. I is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 being used to divide a smaller surface;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view similar to FIG. 5, however, showing a device at a different setting;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view of the indexing member of the second embodiment taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 of FIG. 6.

The invention can be described by referring to FIG. 1 wherein a first preferred embodiment 10 is shown on a surface I] which is to be divided into a plurality of equal segments. Surface 11 can be made of any type of material having at least one edge M or in fact could be a sheet of drawing paper or the like which is fastened to a drawing board having an edge I4.

The device comprises a T-square having a head 15 adapted to bear against edge 14 for relative movement thereagainst and a Tsquare blade 16 connected to the T-square head 15 in a well-known manner. A carrier 17 is mounted on the T- square blade 16 for relative sliding movement therewith. The mechanism by which this movement is achieved will be explained. An index member 18 which comprises an elongated member having a plurality of regularly spaced openings 19 is pivotably connected by a pin 20 to a protrusion 22 on the carrier. While the index is disclosed as having a plurality of openings 119 it should be understood that in lieu of openings the index may be provided with a plurality of notches or marking leads, or knife points, or any other suitable means which can be advantageously utilized to make marks.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 carrier 17 has a notch 26 on one side that defines a lower lip 27 and an upper lip 28 (FIG. 3). The notch is adapted to engage the aforementioned T-square blade for sliding engagement therewith. A V-shaped notch 29 is cut into the upper lip 28 so that the index can freely rotate about pin 20.

Referring in detail to FIG. 2, it can be seen that pin 20 comprises a threaded shaft with a flange 33 at one end which is received in a corresponding recess 34 in the index. The pin 20 is passed through an opening 35 of reduced cross section in the index and through a slightly larger opening 36 in the carrier. A threaded nut 39 holds the pin in position. Flange 33 may support a suitable marking or centering member 40 which may include a lead or metallic point.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention can be best described by referring to FIGS. 1 and 4. In FIG. I, the device is used to divide a relatively large board into a 'plurality of equal segments. Carrier 17 is moved along T-square blade I6 until pin 20 is adjacent one edge of the board and one of the openings 19 is adjacent the other end. Then, a plurality of marks may be made in the respective openings 19 which are located along the index and then lines or scratches 43 may be drawn through the respective points to divide the surface into equal segments 44.

In this form of the invention, a pencil 42 is used cooperatively with the openings 19. However, it is to be understood that a separate pencil need not be used but in fact each of the openings 19 might have therein its own discrete lead or in the alternative might be comprised of a pen or knife blade so that translation of the T-square in the direction indicated by arrow 45 will result in the surface being scored or divided.

In FIG. 4, the device is shown dividing a narrower board 46 into a plurality of equally spaced segments wherein only a portion of the index is employed since a lesser number of divisions are required.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a second embodiment 50 of the invention is in engagement with the edges 53 of a surface 51 which is to be divided into a plurality of equal segments. It includes a circular housing 57 having an upper disc 58 and a lower disc 59 which are axially spaced by a circumferentially disposed spacer ring 60. An indexing disc 61 is mounted in the housing in axial alignment with the aforementioned discs and spacer ring.

Referring to FIG. 9, the housing 57 and indexing disc 61 are held in coaxial relation to each other by a knob 63 that includes a cylindrical opening 65 which receives a suitable marker 66 which may have a knife point or pencil lead 67 or other suitable marking device. The marker has a cap 68 which permits it to be moved axially of the opening 65 in the knob whereby the aforementioned surface 51 may be marked.

Guide members 70 which may be rectilinear elements hav-- ing at least one straight side 71 have upwardly extending pins 72 connected thereto which are received in suitable diametrically disposed openings 73 which are located along the perimeter of the housing. The pins, which may be suitably threaded, are held in engagement with the housing by threaded nuts 74.

In the upper and lower discs 58 and 59 which comprise the housing are aligned openings 77 and 78 which preferably lie along a diameter. An opening 79 in the upper disc is provided for a purpose which will be described.

Referring now to FIG. 8 where a detailed view of the indexing disc 61 is illustrated, it can be seen that the disc which is rotatable about point 67 includes a plurality of aligned apertures 81 disposed across its face. In particular, it should be observed that the apertures are diametrically disposed with respect to each other along lines A, B, C or D. Additionally, it

will be observed that there are a plurality of numerals 82 disposed in spaced circumferential relation to each other along the perimeter of the disc. Each of the numerals corresponds to one of the diametrically disposed lines mentioned. For example, the numeral 6 corresponds to line D. In this regard, it should be observed that there are four apertures 81 along line D through which marks may be made. This, along with the mark made by marker 67 is sufiicient to divide the diameter of the disc into six equally spaced sections. With regard to the numeral 5, this numeral corresponds to line C which has four apertures thereon. However, these apertures are so spaced along the line that they divide the diameter into five equal segments. Line B which corresponds to numeral 4 and line A which corresponds to numeral 3 are also so arranged that when an odd number of markings are required the center marker 67 is utilized and when an even number of markings is required the center marker 67 is not utilized. A numeral 2 which is also illustrated corresponds to utilization merely of center marker 67. As many sets of diametrically disposed openings as desired may be provided.

Additionally, if desired, aligned arcuate openings 83 may be provided in the upper and lower discs 58 and 59 so that the indexing disc 61 can be grasped by the thumb and index finger of the user.

This embodiment of the device can be utilized for dividing a member into a plurality of equal segments as illustrated in H05. 5 and 6. In FIG. 5, the device is shown dividing a member into four segments. In this regard, it should be observed that initially the indexing disc 61 is rotated until the numeral 4 appears in aperture 79. This will result in diameter B being aligned with slots 77 and 78. This diameter has two openings 81 thereon that are spaced so that when center marker 67 is utilized they divide line B at three equally spaced places through which three lines 84 can be drawn to divide surface 51 into four segments 85 each being of equal size.

Referring to FIG. 6, to divide the surface into an odd number of spaces, such as three, for example, then the indexing disc 61 is rotated until the numeral 3 appears in aperture 79, this resulting in the two openings 81 on line A appearing in the elongated slots 77 and 78. Lines 84 drawn through these openings will result in the surface being divided into three equally spaced sections 85.

If it is desired to just merely divide a planar surface into two equal parts, then the guide members 70 are brought to bear against the edges 53 of the planar surface and a mark is made with the center marker 67.

While the invention has been described with reference to two particular embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that many other embodiments of this invention will become obvious to persons skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the foregoing disclosure, but should only be limited by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

lclaim:

l. A device for locating a plurality of equal segments on a planar surface having a plurality of sides defining a perimeter comprising first and second coaxial substantially disclike members, said first member having means for permitting said planar surface to be marked at a plurality of linearly disposed and regularly spaced intervals, said second member supporting said first member for relative pivotal movement therebetween and having aperture means exposing said first member so that said means for pennitting said planar surface to be marked can be viewed there through, guide means for engagement with a portion of said perimeter when said first member is positioned to permit said planar surface to be marked, and said guide means is coupled to said second member for relative movement therebetween.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises two substantially disclike members defining a housing and said second member is mounted in said housing for rotation.

. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means are pivotally coupled to said housing for relative rotational movement therebetween.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said guide means comprise at least two linear elements pivoted to said housing in diametrically opposed relation to each other.

5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said aperture means comprises diametrically disposed openings in one of said disclike members defining said housing.

6. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing and said first member are rotatably connected at their common axis and said aperture means comprises two radial openings disposed in opposed diametrical relation in one of said disclike members defining said housing.

7. A device as defined in claim 2 including aligned arcuate openings in said substantially disclike members defining said housing to permit said first member to be gripped for movement relative to said housing. 

1. A device for locating a plurality of equal segments on a planar surface having a plurality of sides defining a perimeter comprising first and second coaxial substantially disc like members, said first member having means for permitting said planar surface to be marked at a plurality of linearly disposed and regularly spaced intervals, said second member supporting said first member for relative pivotal movement therebetween and having aperture means exposing said first member so that said means for permitting said planar surface to be marked can be viewed there through, guide means for engagement with a portion of said perimeter when said first member is positioned to permit said planar surface to be marked, and said guide means is coupled to said second member for relative movement therebetween.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second member comprises two substantially disclike members defining a housing and said second member is mounted in said housing for rotation.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said guide means are pivotally coupled to said housing for relative rotational movement therebetween.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said guide means comprise at least two linear elements pivoted to said housing in diametrically opposed relation to each other.
 5. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said aperture means comprises diametrically disposed openings in one of said disclike members defining said housing.
 6. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said housing and said first member are rotatably connected at their common axis and said aperture means comprises two radial openings disposed in opposed diametrical relation in one of said disclike members defining said housing.
 7. A device as defined in claim 2 including aligned arcuate openings in said substantially disclike members defining said housing to permit said first member to be gripped for movement relative to said housing. 